IWS Continuous Improvement Manager

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a IWS / Continuous Improvement Manager based in our Fort Worth, Texas yogurt manufacturing facility! In this role, you will report to the Plant Director and will lead the continuous improvement team and the continuous improvement program for the site. The IWS Manager/ Continuous Improvement Manager will be responsible for driving a culture of continuous improvement and driving operational excellence to all areas of the site. This includes defining the IWS (Integrated Work Systems) strategy for the site in execution of Danone's IWS program, coaching site leaders in execution of IWS programs, and being a hands-on servant leader to enable change management in the plant. This role serves as a change agent and systems thinker, enabling a zero-loss culture while also advancing the digitization and simplification of key work systems. The IWS Manager/ Continuous Improvement Manager, must be a change catalyst with strong communication and time management skills and have the ability to quickly flow between strategic thinking and tactical coaching and execution.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

Lead IWS Strategy & Deployment
• Owns and manages the overall IWS Program Masterplan in the site ensuring effectiveness of change management, adoption of systems and culture, integration across pillars and functions, and delivery of all result areas
• Facilitates the phased implementation of IWS Pillars (HSE/Quality/AM/PM/FI/E&T/Org) across all departments
• Develop and Manage IWS governance routines and reporting structures
• Facilitate the development of action plans to variances as identified through the audit process
• Champion the digital integration of IWS tools and systems, replacing manual paper-based processes with intuitive, tech enables solutions
• Capability Building & Coaching
• Acts as an internal partner for the site to lead, define, develop, and coach IWS activities to drive improvement in all result areas and KPI's across all levels, from front line employees to site leadership
• Coach pillar owners, area leaders, and line teams on IWS tools and methodologies
• Facilitates training sessions and workshops to develop deep system understanding and ownership
• Coaches and facilitates the site strategic planning process in collaboration with the site leadership team and ensures consistent adherence to the process including monthly scorecard reporting and gap analysis
• Coach and mentor site resources - CI engineers and Operational Excellence leaders - in CI activities
• Daily Management Systems
• Ensure robust execution of DMS at all levels
• Drives the visual management, loss identification, and problem-solving routines that support run-to-target behaviors.
• Conducts regular and periodic audits and health checks of the Site CI Program and each pillar
• Loss Elimination and Continuous Improvemen
• Identifies key opportunities for process improvement and partners with process owners to lead activities to deliver sustainable and repeatable change and improve business result
• Lead site-wide loss analysis processes to identify and prioritize chronic and sporadic losse
• Supports, mentors, and at times lead teams on problem-solving efforts to improve safety, quality, and eliminate waste/cost at the local level through root cause analysis, Kaizen, and other CI event
• Owns and manages the Focused Improvement Pillar in the site defining the problem-solving capability, tools, and strategy across the site as well as coaching the execution and implementing countermeasures and driving action plans to resolution
• Track and report improvement project results and ROI to ensure delivery of business goals
• Identifies and leverages best practices across the plant and shares broadly across the network CI team to improve standards and guidelines for company TPM implementation
• Simplify complex systems and documentation into clear, scalable standards that enhance frontline ownership and understanding
• Cultural Transformation & Engagement
• Champion a zero-loss mindset and drive behavioral change aligned with IWS principles
• Embed systems that promote employee engagement, empowerment, and structured problems solving
• Enable high levels of team engagement by embedding digital and simplified systems that make work easier and more empowering
• Metrics and Performance
• Develops and prepares metrics and reports to drive action and change through the CI program
• Monitor IWS KPIs and report progress to site and regional leadership
• Continually assess system maturity and develop plans to close capability gaps
• Manage the site productivity process and pipeline to deliver savings vs. commitment
• Collaborate with IT, automation and engineering teams to implement user-friendly digital platforms (e.g., dashboards, mobile reporting tools, real time KPI Visibility)

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or GED is required. A bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline, is preferred. A combination of education and experience that constitutes the level of knowledge skills and abilities needed for this role will be considered in lieu of degree completion.
• Minimum of 5 years continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within a food, beverage or CPG manufacturing environment, required. Prior experience with IWS (integrated work systems) is preferred.
• Must have TPM experience and knowledge and practical application of AM, PM, FI, Education & Training systems and tools, required.
• Experience leading problem solving and process improvement efforts, required
• Lean, TPM, or Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of IWS/ CI / Lean / TPM tools
• Knowledge of principles and methods for process improvement
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources

Skills:

• Strong project and program management skills
• Facilitation and communication skills for problem solving events, productivity ideation, etc...
• Excellent multi-tasking, organization, and time-management skills
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Sound business acumen with corresponding analytical and judgment skills
• Power BI, SmartSheet, and other MES (manufacturing Execution Systems)
• Influencing others without positional authority

Abilities:

• Strong customer focus with ability to foster effective cross-functional partnerships
• The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, communication, and influencing skills
• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• The ability to communicate information and ideas to all levels of the organization from operators and mechanics to executive leadership
• The ability to flow between strategic and tactical problems quickly
• The ability to drive changes in an organization
• The ability to demonstrate process sustainability methodology in all areas of standards implementation
• Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate. Work schedules could include days, nights, and weekends as needed.

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia , Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STK Cold Brew Coffee , Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch.

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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